Are you eager to take your Serbian to the next level? Listening is the perfect way to learn on the go, while scrubbing the bathroom
Sanja Markovic
January 16, 2025
Picture this! You’re walking down the street, minding your own business. Suddenly, you spot an old friend. Do you say hello or pretend you didn’t see them? Now, imagine that your friend is a Serb. If your first instinct is to cross the street, it’s time to master the art of small talk in Serbian.
This guide will teach you how to handle a casual chitchat with friends and acquaintances or, if you prefer, skillfully avoid it. Dive right in!
Some people love it, others not so much. Either way, small talk is a fact of life.
Well, maybe not so much in Norway or Japan, but in an extrovert country like Serbia, knowing how to handle casual banters is almost a survival skill.
A while ago, we wrote a guide on Serbian greetings. Although essential, these phrases won’t do the trick if you bump into someone you know.
In most cases, waving and saying ćao (hi) won’t cut it. Instead, you’re expected to engage in full-on casual talk.
While these chitchats can go in any direction, they usually follow a predictable formula. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of phrases you’re likely to hear (or expected to say) in these encounters.
We also added a phrase for introverts (and everyone who detests shooting the proverbial breeze), to help them flee the scene without appearing rude or hurting anyone’s feelings.
Undoubtedly, they say a lot! Indeed, many Serbs are quite talkative and outgoing, so for most, seeing a pal is an excuse to inquire about their well-being, rehash old memories, or offer a detailed report on recent events.
With that in mind, here’s what Serbian people usually say when they see a friend.
‘De si is short for Gde si? Although it technically means Where are you?, in a casual context, you can use it like What’s up?
If you want to be even more laid back, you can say, ‘De si, brate? (What’s up, bro?). Of course, this alternative is more common among guys.
Either way, you can answer this question with a simple Evo — a universal reply that means nothing at all.
Or, if you’re in the mood, you can share everything that happened to you that day, week, or decade.
I haven’t seen you in a hundred years! Obviously an exaggeration, this phrase implies that it’s been a while.
Unlike in many other countries, tight friendships are an important part of Serbian culture. Consequently, people tend to see their friends quite often. In fact, hanging out at a kafana with pals, or at someone’s home, is a weekly habit for many.
That’s exactly why Serbs will make a big deal out of not having seen each other for a long time. All in all, this phrase will help you show your enthusiasm when bumping into an old friend.
Šta ima? (What’s up?)
Naturally, most people will ask this question when they run into a friend. If you don’t feel like opening up, just reply: Evo, ništa posebno. Kod tebe? (Nothing special. And you?)
Then, the ball will be in your friend’s court. But beware! Many Serbs are oversharers, so this question might get you stuck listening to a twenty-minute report on everything that happened since you last saw them. Of course, if you enjoy such banter, it’s a win-win!
For more specific questions, go with the following:
If you, however, know that your buddy had an important event recently, use Kako je bilo…?
While asking tons of private questions may be odd or rude in other parts of the world, it’s perfectly normal in Serbia. It’s a way to show others that you care about what goes on in their lives.
Still, it’s not okay to be overly nosy. Even in Serbia, you can’t ask people why they are still single or why they have no kids.
Most Serbs highly value their family. As a result, it’s polite to ask Kako su tvoji? (How are your folks doing?).
However, you don’t need to go on about each family member. A simple Svi su dobro (Everyone’s fine!) will do. Also, don’t forget to return the courtesy and ask, A tvoji? (And yours?).
Kad ćemo na kafu da se ispričamo? (When are we going to meet up for coffee and catch up?)
If you’ve met even one Serb before, you probably know that the coffee culture in this country is strong. Spending hours with friends drinking coffee, or kafenisanje, is almost like a national sport. So, there’s a good chance that your friend will suggest catching up over a coffee using the abovementioned phrase.
Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they actually wish to see you any time soon. More often than not, it’s just something people say out of habit or social pressure.
In fact, even if you exchange phone numbers with promises to hang out soon, you likely won’t hear from them again.
So, in case you really want that coffee to happen, you’ll need to be proactive and reach out with an actual plan.
Another thing that Serbs love to do is send their regards. That’s why the following phrases are a usual part of small talk in Serbian:
Svrati kad stigneš! (Drop by when you have the time.)
Serbs can’t help being hospitable — it’s in their nature. Therefore, inviting people over is like a reflex.
Now, the fact that your Balkan friend told you to drop by whenever you want doesn’t mean you should be knocking at their door at your earliest convenience. Again, it’s just them being polite.
So, if you actually wish to hang out, your best bet is to ask them to come over to your place or meet at a cafe.
Finally, we’ll teach you the subtle skill of sidestepping small talk without offending anyone.
The magic word is Žurim! (I’m in a hurry!)
Naturally, if you’ve got urgent business to tend to, no one will expect you to stand there and waste time chatting. As long as you appear like you’re in a rush, you’re golden — even if that urgent business is, in fact, dodging the dreaded small talk.
Also, adding the following phrases will make you sound like you’re not avoiding them on purpose:
There you go! Small talk in Serbian isn’t that hard, right? With these simple phrases and the unspoken rules under your belt, you’ll handle it just fine.
When you see a friend next time, feel free to talk their ear off or excuse yourself politely. Whatever floats your boat!
Finally, if you’d like to polish up your Serbian chatting skills even more, check out our online group lessons. It’s like talking to friends but with plenty of guidance and support from our teachers! Join a group and chat away!
Are you eager to take your Serbian to the next level? Listening is the perfect way to learn on the go, while scrubbing the bathroom
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